Self-aligning bearing



April 13,A 1954 R. HEIM 2,675,281

SELF-ALIGNING BEARING Filed Aug. 26, 1948 .INVENTDR l lwwzs Hezfm/ Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sELF-ALIGNING BEARING Lewis n. Heim, Fairfield," conn.

Application August 26, 1948, Serial No. 46,194 1V claim. `(o1. sos- 194) l This invention relates to bearings of the selfaligning type. provide a simple and practical bearing of the above nature adapted for efcient action in use.\`

Another object is to provide a bearing of the above type of rugged construction adapted to stand the hardest use and yet to-be characterized by a high degree of precision in action. Another object is to provide a bearing of the above type adapted to withstand not only the radial stresses, but also to some extent adapted to withstand stresses applied in a thrust or substantial axialv sible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention:

One of the objects thereof is to` Figure 1 is a sectional view of the bearing and l related parts;

Figure 2 is a similar view along the lines of Figure 1 and having many of its characteristics,

Referring now to the `drawing in detail, there` is shown in Figure 1 an inner race member I, formed of steel or other suitable metal and providedwith a bore 2 through whicha shaft 3 is 45 in. inner race I by means of set screws or pins inserted. The shaft may be held in position withm through suitable holes as shown at 4.

The inner race I will be seen in this longi tudinal section as shaped to provide an outer convex surface which has a curvature at all points of an equal radius with respect to a point on the longitudinal centerof the bore, as indicated at. 5. This convex outer surface of the inner race-way is spherical with respectto the above point 5. f i

At each end ofthe above spherical surface Ythe outersurface of the race-way turns outwardly,

that is in a direction away from the axis, and terminates in cylindrical surfaces as shown at 6 and 'I Resting upon the above spherical surface is a pair of `sets of balls -8 and 9, which respectively extend about the spherical surface in two planes transverse to the axis of the part l and preferably sufficient in size and number each to form a complete set of balls in close proximity one with the other. l

The outer race-ways for these two sets of balls are respectively formed in a pair of outer rings I il and I I, the parts being so shaped and proportioned that a line passing through the two points of contact with the respective race-ways would pass through the central point 5, as indicated in dotted lines. With the parts in position for use thetwo rings i0 and I I are of the same inner and outer diameter and are welded together so as to behave as a single ring or sleeve providing beari way7 and to serve as a terminal or stop against which the race-ways I0 and I I are forced. At the l.

opposite end of the part I2 there is provided an outwardly extending flange I5 which rests against the .outer surface of a `supporting member IG.

Thispartl may be in the form of a hanger or a part of the frame of a machine and its bore is of such size that when the hanged member I2 is forced ,into theposition shown it is held there by what is substantially a pressed fit. Referring briefly to the construction thus far described, the outer sleeve or housing IZ acts as a dependable support for the bearing and this bearingV is held in the position shown against dis,- placement under .conditions of hardest use. If the alignment of the shaft 3 is at variance with the alignment of the outer support, the inner race is free to swing in rolling engagement with thetwo sets of balls and without disturbing either p the outerfparts or the relation of the outer raceways to the inner race-ways. The latter simply swing about the point 5 as hereinbefore de scribed.

Although the bearing is' primarily intended to resistradial stresses in use, irrespective of the xnisaligninent of the inner shaft, nevertheless it It is to be noted that in the foregoing manner' the displaced or non-aligning shaft is accommodated without any stress upon the balls or V the outer race-ways, the latter acting precisely as they would if the inner shaft were in. axial alignment with the outer portions of the bearing.

Turning now to the method of assembly of the foregoing apparatus, it being understood that neither Ythe shaft 9 nor the outer supporting member I5 is concerned, the ring II is temporarily supported with its axis in a preferably vertical position. The race-way of that ring is then greased with a suitable grease or the like and the entire complement of balls is fitted into the race-way and held in such position against rolling out by gravity. The inner race member I is then, with its axis vertical, passed downwardly over these balls 9, it being understood that the diameters of this member at the points 6 and 'I are such as to permit this inner member to be passed downwardly into the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The next step is to t a complement of balls 8 within the race-way of ring I0, using any suitable means such as heavy grease or the like to hold them temporarily in position as before explained and this ring with the balls in position is then passed down over the upper end of the inner member at the surface 6. The parts will then be in the assembled position shown and if desired the meeting ends of I Il and I I are welded together. I2 is forced over these two members with a t tight enough to form a press t and when this is accomplished the entire device is ready for use.

It is to be understood that the number andv size of the balls used in each race-way is such that eachrset of balls forms a complete complement without the necessity for other devices andi the contact of these balls with each ring is along a line so as to lessen'the friction of rotation.

With the parts brought into this position the two race-ways are widely spaced one from the other so as to permit each to exert its full eiect in supporting the inner race-way and also there is avoided the weaknesses attendant on the use of staggered balls and the use of spacers.

The compactness and strength of the construction will be obvious and it also will beV seen that no side plates are required.

Referring now to the simpler construction shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the outer flanged sleeve I 2, the constructionr first described, is dispensed with, the flange I9 being formed directly on the ring member and the member 2| being lengthened to bring its endwise surface substantially into registry with the inner end and inner race-way 22 as shownat 23. In this form the meeting ends of the parts 2B and 2| are welded together so as toY form in effect a single member and, when forced within the bore of the supporting Dart, is dependably However, in this case the' outersleeveY held in position without the corresponding outer parts in the construction described in Figure 1.

There may be'provided in this form of bearing a pair of insertion grooves 24 and 25, so as to facilitate the assembling of the parts by rolling the balls through the grooves instead of passing them over the outer circular surfaces 6 and 'I 0f Figure 1 as before described. One groove is, of course, sufficient for each set of balls, the former being sufficientlyV wide .for -the balls to pass through them and the remainder of these outer portions of the inner member forming a flange, as shown, of such diameter as to more effectively close the openings between the inner and outer The ange I9 acts in the same general manner as the corresponding part in the bearing first described.

In Figure 3 is shown a form of bearing which is even more simplied by the absence not only of Vthe outermost housing I2 and ange I5 of the bearing of Figure l, but it also dispenses Withthel insertion grooves cut at the two ends of the inner race-way as shown and described with respect to bearing of Figure l2. Even this relatively simple bearing possesses many of the features of ruggedness and accuracy of action of those earlier described. The outer race member 21, rigidly welded together at 28, is forced into the bore of the support.

It will thus be seen that there are provided constructions in which the several objects of this invention are achieved.

As various possible embodiments of the several features of this invention may be made and as the embodiments shown may be substantially altered, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter herein shown or described shall be broadly construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: Y

In a self-aligning' bearing, in combination, a casing having an inwardly directed flange at one end and an outwardly directed Iiange atits oppofV site end, a pair of race-way rings tightly fitted within said casing, one of said rings abutting said inwardly directed ange, an inner race-way member having an outer surface of spherical form, each of said rings having a race-way groove formedv therein, and a pair of sets of balls extending about said groovesv in planes transverse to the axis of said inner race-way member and in contact with said spherical surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSV Number Name Date 526,013 Howard Sept. 11, 1894' 1,307,799 Wingquist June 24, 1919 1,439,486 Schmidt Dec. 19, 1922 1,902,662 Phelps Mar. 21, 1933 1,914,928 Scott June 20', 1933 1,947,004 Goddard Feb. 13, 1934 2,149,983 Smith Mar. 7, 1939 2,256,783 Pigott Sept.^23, 1941 2,259,881 Foley Oct. 21, 1941 2,330,741 Potter Sept. 28, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date .29,275l Great Britain 1904 73,533 Australia July 10, 1917 443,710 France Oct. 1, 1912 451,402 France Apr. 18, 1913 

